Saturday’s eye gouging was the first time Brandon Spikes has found himself in trouble in his four years in Gainesville. The play wasn’t pretty, but draft expert Frank Coyle of Draft Insiders says it won’t hurt Spikes in the long run.

“Half the defensive coordinators in the NFL are going to like it,” Coyle said. “They just think he’s a tough, nasty, athletic kid.”

But that doesn’t mean all is forgiven. Spikes, a First Team All-America in 2008 who returned to Gainesville for one last shot at a national title, just took Strike One. Now his actions will almost certainly be observed more carefully.

“They’re going to watch him on this,” said Coyle, an NFL talent evaluator for over two decades. “Now if he continues this, and starts having some real issues related to cheap shots, then he’s going to get a reputation, and then there’s character issues, and then they start digging for other stuff.”

Spikes better watch himself the rest of the year, because he has a lot at stake. Spikes, 22, is generally considered one of the top one or two inside linebackers in the 2010 draft pool, though Spikes can play all four linebacker positions.

Coyle said he believes Spikes will be drafted in the top half of the first round.

“If they had the draft this week, I think he’s a top-10 guy. Certainly a top 30 guy,” Coyle said. “But they’re going to watch him on this. If it’s repetitive, then it really starts becoming a red flag.”